Mon Oncle (1958)

Mon Oncle (1958)
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Five years after his first appearance, Jacques Tati's M. Hulot returns with Mon Oncle, a film set along the dividing line between Paris' past and its future. Aligned (as is the film) with the former, Hulot lives in a colorful, overpopulated Parisian neighborhood and, lacking employment, spends his days waiting to pick up his adoring nephew from school, and subsequently escorting him to his parents' ultra-modern house. Filled with gadgets, some turned on only to impress the neighbors, the house seems designed specifically to frustrate Hulot, who unwittingly disrupts its operations at every opportunity. Concerned about his future, Hulot's relatives attempt to find him gainful employment and pair him off with a neighbor, with little success on either front. The nearly dialogue-free film is less concerned with the family's attempts as they relate to an overall plot, and more interested in how they play into its overall scheme of contrasts and allow for Tati's unmistakable sight-and-sound gag set pieces. ~ Keith Phipps, Rovi

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Starring:
Jacques TatiJean-Pierre Zola, (more)
Director(s):
Jacques Tati
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of Mon Oncle

Five years after his first appearance, Jacques Tati's M. Hulot returns with Mon Oncle, a film set along the dividing line between Paris' past and its future. Aligned (as is the film) with the former, Hulot lives in a colorful, overpopulated Parisian neighborhood and, lacking employment, spends his days waiting to pick up his adoring nephew from school, and subsequently escorting him to his parents' ultra-modern house. Filled with gadgets, some turned on only to impress the neighbors, the house seems designed specifically to frustrate Hulot, who unwittingly disrupts its operations at every opportunity. Concerned about his future, Hulot's relatives attempt to find him gainful employment and pair him off with a neighbor, with little success on either front. The nearly dialogue-free film is less concerned with the family's attempts as they relate to an overall plot, and more interested in how they play into its overall scheme of contrasts and allow for Tati's unmistakable sight-and-sound gag set pieces. ~ Keith Phipps, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
116 mins

Complete Cast of Mon Oncle


Director(s):
Jacques Tati
Writer(s):
Jacques Tati
Producer(s):
Jacques Tati
Categories:
Comedy
Mon Oncle Awards:
  • 1958 - Cannes Film Festival - Special Jury Prize
  • 1958 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Foreign Film
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    J'ADORE LE CINEMA O.

    As a sequel to 'Holiday' be sure you see it last. 'Holiday' is bw, this is color, and the use of color adds to the theme of man vs. progress. The endless trivial affairs are the point of the film, our lives as well as Hulot, consist of them. The only real aspect is our love for each other. Are we really any different today? Or do our spouses please us by getting us the latest gimmick or technical geegaw, when they don't know what it does or how it works. I don't see the movie as about technology, dated or otherwise, it is about our vanity and how we believe we are valued for what we have instead of who we are. Is it good to keep up with the Jones'? Are the fountains better on the other side of the fence? It is French, so it moves slower than Hollywood. Watch the accompanying critiques and analysis to get the most from it.

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    Karla P.

    The funny parts for me were involving the boys in the movie. They made up some great games to play for themselves. It was amusing. So, was the sister of the uncle, she was great. Overall, a good picture to see. Music was good also.

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    David B.

    Made as the modern world was encroaching upon old traditions and warm ways of doing things, Mon Oncle may be the best of the Hulot series. Consistently funny, filled with sight gags and clever uses of sound, this film is a gentle indictment of the silliness of status and power, and the ways those who (think they) have it show off.

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